Abbey Advent: Faithfulness Week 2 Day 5

Day 5: Faithfulness - Wise Men

Text: Matthew 2:1-12

Faithfulness is counting the cost of following and celebrating God, and deciding that not only is God worth it, but He’s worth EVERYTHING. Time. Money. Planning. Expenses. The inconveniences of first-century travel. Leaving behind family. Sleeping outdoors. Physical soreness. Risking robbery. Paying for a team to travel.

For the Wise Men, faithfulness also meant trusting calculations and hitting the road, riding on a camel, not in a luxury sedan … for months.

But faithfulness is not just ho-hum, “okay, I guess” kind of thinking. Instead, nothing could hold you back. Step up and step in? Absolutely, let’s go, let’s do this! Find the Messiah? I’m in, with everything I am and have.

Reflection

Morning Pause: How is following God a costly venture for you, from putting in the time to read the Bible, to going across the ocean on a mission trip to crossing the street (God, you want me to love my neighbor, so help!)?

Afternoon Pause: God may give you a goal that seems like a long journey away. How can you encourage yourself to be faithful in your pursuit? Think about how you can draw strength from God to do what He’s asking you to do.

Evening Pause: Do you, like the Wise Men, have that faithful determination to seek Jesus with everything you are and own? What might need to shift in order for you to seek Him with your whole life?